Supertramp’s frontman and saxophonist John Helliwell leads the epic Storyhouse big band for a set of special arrangements of Supertramp’s biggest and best songs.

John Helliwell has collaborated on an interesting project that took place last Saturday July 13 in Chester, England, near Liverpool.This Big Band has adapted to jazz famous Supertramp themes. The arrangements have been made by the musicians, John's friends from his time at the music school, where he was studing few years ago in England after many years living in the States. And also from some other musician who could not attend the show. We attach the list of songs and the author of each arrangement.

The track "Brunch" (mix of Breakfast/Lunch) was a mix of "Ain't nobody but me", "From now on", and "Land Ho".

Of course, it was about very "free" arrangements", very very different from the original themes. Only a slight inspiration, and very jazzy. For those who have seen the movie "Whiplash", that peculiar sound of the themes during the film is what most can remember what was heard in Chester.So in most of the tracks it was practically impossible to recognize the original song, even for a Supertramp expert :o)Fortunatelly the staff gave us the program when entering in the theatre...Only in some of the hits one can recognize the original melody, as in Logical Song, Dreamer, it is raining again, and Crime of the Century for example.

The Big Band was composed of five saxophonists, four trombones, four trumpets, plus the director and John at the front, accompanied by a keyboard player, electric guitar, bass player (electric ad double bass depending on the song), drummer and a percussionist. So, 20 people on stage.And therefore the dominant sound was from the brass section, very jazzy. John DO loves jazz, you know. In fact he has his own jazz band "Creme Anglaise".

The venue was the cozy Storyhouse theater, in the center of the charming medieval village of Chester, highly recommended visit!And the atmosphere very familiar and relaxing, with the audience very close to the stage and John making interesting and funny comments between songs, and taking some sip of his glass of wine. In fact, several John's relatives came to the show! since the place is not too far from Manchester certainly.John played several instruments along the concert, according the music sheet: saxophones, clarinet, and melodica. He's in a good shape! Wonderful playing.He was talkative and jokingly all the time. Even he said some sentence in french as he did in the "Supertramp Paris" album, what a funny and kind tribute.

There was a set on a stage corner with the typical umbrella, chaise-longue and table from "Crisis, what crisis?" album cover, and during the concert John was inviting volunteers from the public who wanted to sit in the chaise-longue, relax, and taste the wine. It was funny!Even John had a break and relax in the chaise-longue while the band performed "Take the long way home". This was the only track he didn't play.

The Big Band sounded great, and the conductor had a lot of complicity with John and the musicians. Perfect sound anb playing.It was a very interesting and different event. We all spent a very pleasant evening, very intimate, with great music and a great atmosphere.